I moved to East Africa in 2011 and this blog actively chronicled my adventures and life here. I got lazy at the end of 2012 and did not post anything for more than a year. 2014 is upon us and I intend to resurrect this blog with at least monthly postings of my continued adventures on the African continent, Southern Africa, Asia and Turkey as my nomadic existence continues.

Thursday, 4 August 2011

Habari Africa – the Journey Begins

After 2 consecutive overnight flights (thanks BA for the tasteless, stingy meals by the way) I arrived in Dar Es Salaam (commonly known as Dar) last Friday. I was whisked to my hotel, Econo Hotel by my friendly driver, with its charming green toilet paper and electricity outlets that can create a 4th of July fireworks show (and fried US$75 worth of chargers) and then to the VSO Office to meet the staff and volunteers and to get a briefing . Lunch was at a little local place and consisted of cooked cassava leaves with grounded nuts (really good), some beans, rice, a stew of an unrecognizable vegetable and fried fish slices that could have done with some green seasoning (thank god they had pepper sauce). Later that evening I got together with 4 other volunteers and had dinner and drinks at the Badminton Club near to the hotel. Interesting place – open courtyard seating, large screen showing old Indian movies and videos, a superb cheap Indian menu, a playground for kids and of course a badminton court – an indoor glass walled one, which was your eating entertainment. Saturday morning I took the ferry from Dar to Zanzibar....it was chaotic but the ferry was large and nice and there were two other Philipino volunteers on the boat as well. Sine (Zeena) who is a German lecturer here and will be my housemate, met me at the port and got me through immigration quickly. We then drove around Zanzibar City (of which the famous Stone Town is a part of) as we had to pick up the shopping for the restaurant. We then drove about 1.5 hours to the Jambiani Tourism Training Institute where I am working, which is in this quaint village made of stone houses and right on the beach. The compound is great with incredible villa-type buildings with thatched roofs right on a huge stretch of white sand beach with turquoise water. There are lots of nice villas, small hotels and bars (yeah!!) and restaurants within walking distance. This will certainly be an adventure!!

2 comments:

Hombre,happy to read that the indian food is cheap and bars readyly available...so you will not miss any chocolates...? also happy to read that you are well...was considering to get a new heir! painful at this age of mine. So it seems to be a relaxation for you?? will you be working there?? if yes:WHAT? Or should I consider to visit you on one of my next trips to either Madagascar or maybe grow some cacao in your place?Well, I am on my way to Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica for the next few weeks....Stay in touch!! And always watch your back in foreign countries....wish you all the very best and happy weekendIndiaman (Biki)

Hey uncle....I will be working here for the next couple years as a volunteer teacher at the jambiani tourism training institute.So especially now you can't cut me out of the will since I really don't get paid ......so I need the chocolate inheritance money to support the occasional trip to Berlin and maxims ....hope you ate well....pop by if you are in the neighborhood Your best nephew

About This Nomad

Born and grew up in Trinidad (Trini),now a Canadian, a resident of South Africa, almost became a Montserratian and currently residing in Istanbul, Turkey. Lived, worked or studied in 13 countries on 4 continents.